This morning I went out with my coat unzipped and was delighted to see a spectacular 
sunrise. I was happy to stand there for a few minutes taking in nature’s beauty. Quite the change from only one week ago when the temperature was -35 and I was doing what I could to avoid being outside. It was a warmth before fashion day – bundled up with hat, mitts, scarf and big boots.
Things change.
We all know that so why do we have such a wonky relationship with change?
Why do we resist it so much?
Change is a natural state. Let water stay stagnant too long and nature takes over and starts to grow stuff. Around here people say if you don’t like the weather, just wait five minutes. Day turns into night. Winter becomes spring. Kids grow up.
Things change.
Most of the time we don’t like it. We’re afraid of what change means. Even when we are not happy, we’re afraid that a change might make us even unhappier. So we put up with the way things are. Until of course a change is forced upon us.
When things are pretty good we declare we don’t want anything to change – we like things “the way they are”. Maybe we’re just afraid that change means they will get worse. What if change means they actually get even better?
Most of the time we try to deny that change happens. We pretend that we’re not getting older even though we are. We ignore relationships that have gotten stale because we haven’t given them enough attention. We wake up one day overweight or out of shape because our bodies have changed in response to the lack of care we have given them.
Things change.
Why not create a different relationship with change? Expect it to show up. Treat it as a ally rather than an enemy. Work with it. Acknowledge it. Sooner or later you have to deal with it, so give being proactive about change a try.
What do you think? How are you and change getting along?
